Coach–athlete sexual relationships

If no means no does yes mean yes

Bibliographic Data

ID12573113
AuthorsSusanne Johansson (0000-0002-5575-4737, Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, corresponding author)
Year2013
Volume18
Issue5
Pages678-693
Publication date2013-04-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSport Education and Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1357-3322 • E-ISSN: 1470-1243
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13573322.2013.777662
OpenAlexW1996436927
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited37

Coach–athlete romantic relationships and consensual sexual relations are commonly accepted among coaches and athletes, although a growing number of sport organisations discourage or prohibit such relationships. In research, coach–athlete sexual relationships are lumped together with sexual abuse, suggested to harm athletes' well-being, performance, athletic career and team dynamics, and to inherently constitute an abuse of power, trust and ethics. In addition, mistrust of coaches' motives, related to physical touch and fear of sexual misconduct, has resulted in a growing anxiety among coaches. This paper highlights and critically discusses research conceptualisations, contextual understandings and critical issues surrounding coach–athlete sexual relationships, on which there is no comprehensive research outside the sexual abuse context. Studies of authority–subordinate romantic relationships in other social settings have reported that such relationships facilitate both positive and negative characteristics and outcomes. To prevent and reduce harm and to promote well-being, functionality and safe practice in coach–athlete sexual and non-sexual relationships, I suggest that comprehensive research outside the sexual abuse context is required. In addition to the previous research focus on harmful and abusive relationships, coach–athlete sexual relationships that are experienced as consenting and mutually fulfilling by the involved parties need further examination

Anxiety · Athletes · Context (archaeology · Criminology · Harm · Poison control · Psychiatry · Romance · Sexual abuse · Sexual misconduct · Suicide prevention · Clinical Psychology · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sport Psychology and Performance · Sports Analytics and Performance · Sports, Gender, and Society